Those who can’t afford a trip to Ibiza, but still want to feel tropical vibes, can go to The Pool. Not the cold Amsterdam swimming pools full of screaming children, but The Pool in capitals, that is. The restaurant slash bar houses in The Student Hotel, previously known as the Trouw building. Neon colored chairs, pool-like tiles, flamingos everywhere and beach chairs outside. If that isn’t Mediterranean enough for you, try their squid on a stick, with your cocktail. It doesn’t get more exotic than that.

The Pool

Wibautstraat 131A

New kid on the block Meneer Nieges makes you feel like you’re eating your salmon bagel in the jungle, by their ceiling plants, miniature planes and monkey lamps. The guys behind Canibale Royale and Hannekes Boom have teamed up with Casper Moolhuijzen and Pelle Wiggelendam to bring you ‘a non-pretentious restaurant with a laid-back vibe for all ages’. And if the sun comes out, there is more than enough room for everyone outside. The terrace is close enough to ‘t IJ to take a quick dive in-between meals and since Meneer Nieges serves till after midnight so you are welcome to stay for hours after your dinner. The hundreds of lights attached to the trees will make you escape Amsterdam for a summer night.

Meneer Nieges

Westerdoksdijk 40

Tequila; a drink that – we thought – brings you nothing but shameful memories and headaches. But the boys behind Huis van López beg to differ. They claim the drink is actually really tasty, if you choose the right kind and in the Latin-American bar there are more ‘right kind’ tequila flavors available than you could ever imagine. To top things of they also serve (vega) wraps and spicy mussels. Around midnight it’s time for some music and optionally some dancing, and since one of the guys was also owner of former techno temple Swych, they probably know how to get the party started.

Huis van López

De Clerqstraat 56H

If you want to escape the city for real, go to our next-door neighbor: Haarlem. The city comes with a beachy restaurant De Oerkap on walking distance from train station Haarlem Central. De Oerkap is recently renewed and ready for the summer season. It’s like Roest but without the hipster and yuppies-overkill, so kick back and relax.